When aspiring playwright Paul Javal (Michel Piccoli) is called in as script doctor on a film of The Odyssey, he is caught between a director (Fritz Lang) who wants to capture the reality of Homer's world, and crass producer Prokosch (Jack Palance) who just wants more mermaids. As his artistic integrity gradually succumbs to the power of Prokosch's cheque book, his wife Camille (Bardot) regards him with increasing contempt. Originally a renowned film critic, Godard made his first full-length film in 1959: A bout de soufflé ( Breathless). Together with Truffaut's Les quatre cents coups, the film heralded a radically new approach to film-making entitled the New Wave. Continually pioneering new cinematographic styles, by the time Le Mépris was released in 1963, Godard's reputation as one of the most controversial, innovative and provocative film-makers of his generation was assured. Le Mépris features Brigitte Bardot at the height of her stardom, Michel Piccoli at the beginning of his, Jack Palance bringing a touch of Hollywood to the proceedings, and the legendary director Fritz Lang playing himself.